A promising visible light-driven photocatalytic activity of conjugated polymer nanocrystals

Abstract

Conjugated polymers have recently emerged as a new class of photocatalysts. However, many conjugated polymer photocatalysts are not as effective as inorganic materials due to the limited electronic properties of their LUMO and HOMO and low long-term stability caused by the degradation of the conjugated backbone. In the present study, we have demonstrated, for the first time, the superior Visible (Vis) light-driven photocatalytic activity of conjugated polymer nanocrystals (NCs) of polydiacetylene (PDA) derivatives, namely, p-DCHD NCs for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) compared with that of the state-of-the-art P25 TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs). In addition, we have revealed the morphological effects of p-DCHD NCs, long-term stability, and the photocatalytic degradation mechanisms. These results will open a new pathway for the further development and understanding of conjugated polymer photocatalysts toward various potential applications.